Today's Houston Rockets are close to mortgaging their youth (again) for an apathetic superstar player who could care less about playing for the Rockets. (Again).

Why?

Well, a wise fan might say that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

I happen to be a cynic, so I say that Morey is desperate and needs to shake up the roster to keep his job.

What I can't figure out for the life of me, though, is why we would trade anything for a player who—according to sources outlined by SI.com's Sam Amick—has made clear that, even if the Rockets were to win a championship in 2013, Howard would still intend to become a free agent following the season.

Doesn't exactly sound like a cornerstone to build a team's foundation around, does it?

The news gets worse.

In the bargaining room, the Orlando Magic have all the leverage. Morey, smart guy that he usually is, has shown all his cards.

Like, all of them.

I don't play cards, but even I know that you can't win many hands that way.

Since Orlando holds the power, the Rockets will be fleeced, no matter how they spin it. Once the season ends, Morey will be left holding the bag.

In the best scenario, the Rockets put together some unlikely run in the best division in basketball and end up back where they were at the end of the 1994-1995 season.

If Howard doesn't re-sign though, does it really matter? The team will just experience a free fall and have to start all over.

Which begs the all-important question: Are championships built the wrong way worth it?